"We are here," Julieanne informed Alexander, who was still gazing out of the window.
"This is the Ministry of Defense?" Alexander said, his eyes widening as he took in the sight before him.
The building was a grand neoclassical baroque palace, a masterpiece of architectural design. The exterior was constructed from gleaming white marble, its surface polished to a mirror-like sheen. Massive columns, adorned with intricate carvings, lined the front entrance, supporting a large triangular pediment decorated with bas-relief sculptures depicting scenes of valor and strength.
Above the entrance, an expansive balcony stretched across the facade, guarded by a row of statues The windows were tall and arched, framed with delicate stonework that added to the building's majestic appearance.
The roof was crowned with an enormous dome, its surface covered in gold leaf that gleamed in the sunlight. Flanking the dome were smaller towers, each topped with a spire and adorned with decorative elements that emphasized the building's grandeur.
As they stepped out of the vehicle, Alexander noticed the meticulous landscaping that surrounded the palace. Neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flower beds lined the pathways, and a series of fountains added a touch of elegance to the grounds.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Julieanne said, noting Alexander's awe-struck expression.
"It certainly is," Alexander replied.
Julieanne led Alexander up the wide marble steps towards the grand entrance. The heavy wooden doors, carved with intricate patterns and reinforced with iron, swung open to reveal a vast interior lobby. The floor was made of polished marble, reflecting the soft light from the crystal chandeliers that hung from the high ceiling with massive pillars supporting the structure.
"Welcome to the heart of Valoria's defense," Julieanne said as they made their way to the central hall.
As they walked through the grand entrance into the vast lobby, Alexander noticed the numerous staffers bustling about donned in sharp military uniforms. The moment they saw Alexander, they stopped in their tracks, snapped to attention, and saluted.
Alexander acknowledged their salutes with a nod, and they made their way further into the building.
"How long have we been walking? Like five minutes? How far is the office of the Defense Minister?"
"Not much farther," Julieanne replied with a smile. "The Defense Minister's office is just down this corridor."
"Okay I'm going to believe you in that."
Finally, they reached a large set of double doors. Julieanne knocked, and a moment later, the doors were opened by a uniformed aide.
"Your Excellency, Minister Thompson is expecting you," the aide said, stepping aside to allow them entry.
The office was as grand as the rest of the building, with high ceilings and large windows that offered a stunning view of the city below. A massive mahogany desk dominated the room, behind which stood Minister Thompson, who greeted them with a respectful bow.
"Welcome, Your Excellency," Thompson said.
"It's an honor to have you here."
"Thank you, Minister Thompson," Alexander replied, shaking his hand. "I'm eager to see what you have to show me."
"Please, have a seat," Thompson said, gesturing to a comfortable seating area near the desk. "We have much to discuss and much to show you."
Thompson handed Vincent and Julieanne a thick file. Vincent looked at it curiously.
"What are these?" he asked.
Thompson then moved to the Army section. "Our Army is composed of:
100,000 Infantry Soldiers
2,000 Tanks
1,500 Artillery Pieces"
He flipped another page. "The Air Force has:
500 Fighter Aircraft
200 Bombers
300 Transport Aircraft.
100 Reconnaissance Aircraft"
"And finally," Thompson continued, "the Coast Guard consists of:
60 Patrol Boats
30 Search and Rescue Vessels
20 Law Enforcement Ships"
Thompson flipped to another section. "The Army's artillery includes:
500 Mobile Howitzers
200 Anti-Aircraft Guns
100 Multiple Rocket Launchers
For support vehicles, we have:
2,000 Armored Personnel Carriers
1,000 Logistics Trucks
500 Engineering Vehicles"
"Okay...this is a good number, but still far enough from our adversary, the Empire of Triesenberg. I don't know the exact details of their military but they are far more formidable than our current forces."
"That won't matter, Your Excellency, as we may have a small number of forces compared to them, we still have the best of the best troops there are," Thompson confidently said.
"With that said, I want to see one of our battleships," Alexander demanded.